Chapter 66
Hiccups POV:
I've been on the ocean for two days heading for Scotland and in that time I am happy to say nothing much has happened with one exception. When I was looking up at the sky I saw Siren's face smiling down at me as a sudden wind blew past me I heard a whispered 'thank you' before her face gave me one last smile and turned away into the suns light. I just smiled before I whispered back 'you're welcome' and it was when this happened I knew Siren had found peace in the after life, which made risking my life to save her all the more worth while. Other than that the only other thing to have happened to me was I found a small statue of a wolf made of pure silver from Connor who wrote that it was a thank you for freeing him from his curse but he knew I wouldn't accept it so he had it snuck on board. Sadly that wasn't the only thing that was snuck on board my ship since another thing that was on my ship was one of the children I told my stories to. Apparently he snuck on board because he wanted to join me on my adventures and become my apprentice so he could be a hero like I was. I just told him that I was no hero but a man wanting to do the right thing to help people and if he wanted to be like me then just work hard, train hard, try to stay out of trouble and remember that there's no shame in turning away from a fight you knew you couldn't win before I took him back to the village on Toothless. Long story short his parents were beyond happy to have him back and beyond angry with him to the point where he was grounded for a month but still I think he understood my words and will take them to heart.
I looked up ahead and saw a large land mass and signaled my Scauldrens to stop so Toothless and me could do some reconnaissance for any villages that were near. I decided it best I go with only my eagle shield incase I needed to block something and spirit bow and arrows since it was mostly dense forest so my forest arrows would come in handy for escapes. I mounted Toothless and gave him a pat on the head as I said.
"Alright bud let's fly." And we were off.
1 hour later
We were walking through a forest looking for anything to suggest there's a village anywhere nearby. It was then Toothless growled facing something so I took out my bow to prepare incase it was a threat but all I saw was what looked like a house built into the side of a small hill. I walked up to the door with my bow at the ready and used the end of it to push the door open before I slowly walked in. I looked around seeing a lot of wooden items related to bears. I examined a wooden bear puppet before a voice from behind me said.
"Feel free to browse and holler if you see anything you like." I immediately turned around with my bow ready to strike whoever was behind me but only saw an elderly women on the other side of the house sweeping up some wood chips as I pointed my bow at her.
"Who are you?" She just kept sweeping.
"Oh I'm just a simple wood carver and this here is my shop." I turned around to examine a small bear sculpture that could be used as a paperweight before turning around and found the women standing right there smiling.
"See anything you like?" She let go of her broom before walking up to a puppet. "You have any kids because they'll love it." I was focused however on the broom that was now sweeping by itself before the old women gasped and snapped her fingers making it fall to the ground as I turned back to her.
"I take it you're a witch." She sighed and rubbed her forehead with two fingers.
"Not this again!" It was then the crow that I thought was stuffed much to my surprise said.
"Stopped selling spells after getting a complaint from the princess." The broom then hit the crow in the head and began sweeping the crow away as I turned back to the witch as she said.
"Now don't go asking me to sell you any spells lad because like the crow said I've stopped being a witch." She then walked over to a log and carved it into a bear. "Too many unsatisfied customers." I could tell she was telling the truth somehow before a smile I didn't like came to her face. "Lad if you're not going to buy anything." She snapped her fingers making multiple knives float in front of her and point at me. "Then get out." I prepared my shield to be unfolded just incase.
"Any of these wooden items imbued with any form of magic?"
"Of course not." I smiled.
"Just making sure and I would like to buy some of your fine work but not sure if my money will be good here." She smiled and walked up to me.
"Well let's just take a look at it then shall we and I'll let you know." She held out her hand before I took out one gold coin and put it in her hand which she quickly pulled back to examine the coin before she smiled at me. "This form of money will do just fine lad so no need to worry about payments." I smiled before I began browsing since I figured there was no harm in buying a few trinkets for home and possibly getting directions to the nearest village while I was at it.
10 minutes later
I walked out of that shop with a new paperweight shaped like a bear that was standing up straight, a mahogany bear shaped chopping board, a little decoration of a bear catching fish that actually moved with the fish on a wheel and the bear head popping out before going back in and a bear shaped door stop that reached just above my knee. The old witch got a gold coin for each of the items and told me to come back anytime I wanted but not for any spells to change my fate or life. I just turned back to her and told her I was happy with both my life and although I wasn't sure what my fate was I'd deal with it myself to which she just smiled at me and waved goodbye. I loaded the items into Toothless' saddlebag before he gave me a look but I just shrugged and said.
"Hey she had some good deals in there." I mounted him and rubbed his head before I realized I forgot to ask for directions but when I turned to the shop I saw we were no longer in front of the shop but in the middle of a circle of stones standing up except for one that was lying down and seemed to have what looked to be a bear claw sticking out from underneath it. "This is going to be one of those trips isn't it bud." He just crooned before looking down as I patted him on the head. "Oh come on bud it can't be any worse than our last few trips." He just hit me with one of his earflaps. "Good point." I dismounted him and walked in front of him before I took his head and made him look at me. "Don't worry bud, I've got your back and you have mine so we'll be fine."
He crooned before turning away and growling at what I saw was a little creature made of blue flame that seemed to be gesturing me to follow it. I had read about these things back in my library and knew they were called will o' wisps which were said to lead you to your fate, great treasure or your doom. I didn't get to think about what I read about them for long since Toothless pounced on it but it vanished and reappeared in another spot where Toothless jumped on it again. This went on for a few more seconds before I told Toothless to stop and let me see if I could do anything. He growled and nodded before I walked up to the wisp but when I did a long line of them appeared and gestured for me to follow them. Toothless didn't like it but to be honest I couldn't blame him for not trusting magic after what happened to him in Arabia with that mad demon enslaving and transforming him. I unfolded my shield to be safe and began following the wisps with Toothless following closely behind.
When we reached the end we ended up at a river but there was nothing special about it besides the small waterfall with multiple fish jumping in and over it. I could tell Toothless was looking mostly at the fish so I gestured for him to go at them. He was all too happy to do just that and ran to the top of the waterfall before he began catching them in his mouth before chowing down. I smiled at him before I decided to take a walk down the stream while Toothless enjoyed his lunch so I could pass the time while Toothless enjoyed the fish. I eventually stopped to get a drink of water from the creek and kneeled down before cupping my hands and scooped up some water and brought it to my lips. I enjoyed the feeling of the cold water flowing down my throat but unfortunately I didn't get to enjoy it for long before a voice from behind me said.
"Don't move a muscle." I turned around and saw a girl with wild red hair glaring at me with an arrow aimed at me so I raised my arms.
"Easy there I'm not here to cause any trouble." She glared at me.
"Oh please, how do I know you aren't a scout from an invading fleet?"
"Because I'm just a simple traveler taking a drink of water."
"You honestly expect me to believe that." Before I could reply however. "Put your hands behind your back and I'll take you to see my parents to decide."
I did so without hesitation and allowed my hands to be tied before she looked away to prepare her horse but while she did that Toothless came looking for me. I could tell he was not happy with what he saw and was going to do something that would come back to bite me. Before he could though I hand signaled him to stop and not do anything but to follow us from above and at a distance. I could tell he didn't like it but went along with it and took off just as the girl turned around to help me onto her horse. As we rode I knew I should be worried but the truth was that I could escape anytime I wanted with the armors built in hidden blade on my wrist but I figured I should see where she was taking me first since she might allow me to meet the leaders so I could talk to them.
1 hour later
We finally entered through the gates of a large castle before the girl dismounted her horse at a stable. She then took me off her horse and forced me to walk in front of her towards two large doors. We entered a room that was around half the size of the great hall back on Berk with a women that had her greying brown hair tied back in two braids wearing a navy blue dress sitting next to a man curly red hair under a helmet, a peg leg in what I recognized as a navy blue tartan quilt sitting at the back of the room in thrones with an empty throne and wooden couch next to them. When we reached them the girl walked in front of me before pointing to me and saying.
"I found this stranger about by the creek and I can tell he's not from around here by his accent." The large man stood up and looked down at me.
"Well if this is true then what brings you to our shores?"
"I'm just a peaceful traveller wanting to experience new customs that seem more interesting then the ones on my tribes boring island." He nodded as the queen was giving me a look that I didn't understand before she asked.
"Where do you come from exactly?"
"A small island in the archipelago known as Berk, you've probably never heard of it."
"Isn't that the island ruled by a chief known as Stoick?" I nodded.
"Yeah, he's my father." She smiled and laughed before standing up and walking over to me.
"Now no wonder you looked so familiar." Shecupped my face. "You look a lot like your mother did when she was young."
"You knew my mother?" She gave me a gentle smile and rubbed her thumb over my cheek.
"She was my cousin but then I got betrothed to Fergus for peace between the Vikings and DunBroch." She looked down. "After that we wrote letters to each other and in one she told me about her young son Hiccup."
"That's me but does this mean you're my second cousin or something." She smiled.
"Just call me Aunt Elinor." She then smiled. "We have a lot to talk about." It was then the red haired girl asked.
"So he's my cousin?" Aunt Elinor looked up and nodded.
"Yes he is Merida now could you please untie him?" The girl I now knew to be my cousin Merida pulled out a small knife as she looked at me while giving an embarrassed grin.
"Sorry about the tying you up thing Hiccup." I smiled at her as I used my hidden dagger to cut the ropes.
"It's alright Merida but a word of advice." I pulled my hands out from behind me with the rope in one of them. "Next time you take a captive make sure they don't have a knife built into their armor." She looked at me surprised when I handed her the ropes the man laughed.
"Smart lad." He then stood up from his chair stepped forward. "I am Fergus, king of DunBroch." He then smiled. "But you can just call me Uncle Fergus." I smiled at him. "Now how did you get here exactly?"
"I used my ship to sail here after I had a little trip to Ireland."
"Well I'll have some men to go and get it to move it to our docks." I raised my hand.
"Don't worry about it Uncle Fergus, I'll just go and get it quick with Toothless." I realized too late what I said.
"Who's Toothless?" I scratched the back of my head.
"Well he's my dragon." They all stared at me for a moment before they burst out laughing.
"Good one lad!" He laughed some more. "You really had us going for a moment there." I rolled my eyes before I let out my dragon call to summon Toothless and in five seconds he flew through the door growling making everyone jump back in fear.
"Relax, as long as you don't try to hurt him or me then you don't have anything to worry about." I walked over to Toothless and gently rubbed his head. "Easy there bud, they're my relatives." He looked up at me and nodded before he continued to glare at them as I turned to them. "I know I have some explaining to do but wait till my ships docked in the harbor." They all just stared dumbly as they nodded before I mounted him and we took off.
Nightfall
I was sat down at a dinner table with my aunt, uncle and four cousins with Toothless laying behind me with a large pile of fish in front of him. I had spent the day telling my relatives how I met Toothless and answering their questions about him. Now we were just sitting down enjoying dinner with some conversations about how things are and I had to admit for a sheep stomach haggis was pretty tasty. It was then my uncle Fergus asked.
"So lad if you wouldn't mind telling, how'd you get that scratch on your armor?" I looked down at my chest plate with the scratch from the banshee before I looked up at my uncle.
"A banshee with a really bad attitude." They all looked at me as if I had just grown a second head before Aunt Elinor said.
"A year ago I would've had a hard time but after being turned into a bear I don't think it's that hard to believe." I was confused hearing this.
"What?" Merida then said.
"Long story and I doubt you'd believe us." I leaned back into my chair.
"Try me!"
1 hour later
Merida and Aunt Elinor just finished telling me of how Merida turned her mother into a bear in an attempt to change her fate. I actually found some parts pretty funny like their breakfast in the forest where Aunt Elinor ate nightshade berries and worm water. I did find it interesting how the demon bear Mordu turned out to be the prince from the long forgotten kingdom. When they finished the story I could only rub my chin in thought before Merida said.
"Let me guess, you think we're either crazy or making it all up." I turned to her.
"Actually I was wondering if the witch turned wood carver I met in the woods was the same witch you got the spell from."
"So you believe us?"
"Why wouldn't I?" I shrugged. "Did you make it up?" Aunt Elinor replied.
"No we didn't make it up but most people would deny it's possible and claim magic doesn't exist." I just took a sip of my drink.
"Aunt Elinor I'm a guy who always some how gets wrapped up in vanquishing some sort of evil creature wherever I go so as you can guess stranger things have happened in my life." They all looked at me before Merida snorted and asked.
"Like what?"
"Well in Ireland there were my fights with a fachan, two banshees, a Dullahan and a werewolf." They all stared at me before Uncle Fergus asked.
"I'm sorry but what happened to you in Ireland?" I took a sip from my drink before I began my tale.
1 hour later
They were all staring at me in shock and I couldn't blame them since I had just finished telling them about what I had done in Ireland. I took a sip from my drink, which seemed to snap them out of their stupor before my Uncle Fergus said.
"Well sounds like you had an interesting time in Ireland." He chuckled as I shrugged.
"Not really, pretty average actually." He stared at me as Merida asked.
"But Hiccup you fought monsters and spirits." She waved her hands at me. "If you call that average then what do you call interesting."
"I'll tell you about my trips to Greece and Arabia some time." I stood up. "Well thanks for dinner but I'm going to head to my room to turn in for the night."
They nodded before I signaled Toothless to follow me but as we walked to the door I heard something tumble over followed by the sound of dishes crashing. I turned around to see the entire table flipped over with the all the food now spread over the floor. I then notice a string with one end tied to the bottom of the table and the other end tied to the end of Toothless' tail. Uncle Fergus then looked up and screamed.
"BOYS!" I just rolled my eyes and continued to make my way to the room they'd given me.
Three days later
I was outside in the archery range practicing with a regular bow and arrow since my uncle didn't want me practicing with my spirit bow and arrows. I couldn't blame him after what happened when I was walking back from my ship with my spirit bow and arrows. My little cousins Harris, Hubert and Hamish used a rope to trip me as I entered the castle and was examining one of my water arrows. When I fell my arrow fell to the ground and my uncle decided to help me by picking up the arrow before I could warn him. It was as he picked it up I yelled at him not to touch the arrow but by then it was already in his hand and before he could ask me what I meant the arrow turned into a watery blast that sent him back inside. He ended up landing in front of his very confused wife and daughter whom were both looking at me for an explanation on why Uncle Fergus was laying in front of them and soaking wet. Long story short they had me sit down with them and tell them how I got my spirit bow and arrows. After that they had me retrieve all my weapons from the gods and explain how I got each of them. When the stories were done they had me demonstrate each of my weapons abilities by putting me up against some of their warriors. Long story short their men were taken to the doctor while I had orders not to keep my weapons in my room under lock and key and I could not blame them.
Sadly the stories about how I got the weapons spread like wild fire and although I am happy to say it didn't get the attention of the girls I am sad to say it got the attention of some of the clans men who immediately challenged me for the weapons. Despite the fact that I told them I was the only one who could use them it didn't stop them from claiming that the weapons would see them as their new master when they had defeated me. Long story short they all ended up limping away while I walked away with their weapons or helmets as trophies. Sadly they had me fight without my armor on so everyone got a look at my body and if the women who saw me swooning was anything to go by it meant I was going to be having some girl trouble in the future.
Now I was sitting in the throne room with my Uncle Fergus, Aunt Elinor and my cousins in their own thrones while Toothless was lying down in the rafters to keep an eye on things from above. We were all waiting for the arrival of the three great clans who were coming to the castle today. In honor of their arrival I had to wear traditional Scottish clothing so I was wearing a black and grey tartan kilt with matching robe that went over my chest that was covered by my regular green tunic. I didn't really like the kilt though since it felt like I wasn't wearing pants, which was not a pleasant feeling for me in public. Anyway the reason the three clans were coming was to participate in the Highland Games to celebrate their culture. I was looking forward to seeing the games and Uncle Fergus said I should try competing in a few of them. He told me I'd do well in the Sheaf toss, Hammer throw and possibly the Caber toss. I told him I'd see what it was like before I competed in any of the events but he just told me I'd be a great competitor in these games.
Five minutes later
Well the three great clans had arrived five minutes ago and it was only three of those minutes before the gathering had turned into an all out brawl. When my Uncle Fergus was able to shut everyone up with a yell all it took was someone in the crowd letting out a scream for the brawl to continue and this time my uncle eagerly jumped in to join them. I watched the fight for another minute hoping they'd eventually stop but they didn't before my aunt stood up and calmly walked through the crowd with everyone stepping aside to let her through. It was when she reached the lords I smiled in amusement as she dragged the lords by their ears back to the front of the room. It was pretty funny before she let them go as she let my uncle stand by the stairs before he said.
"I'm sorry sweetheart but I-" She cut him off with a glare before he slumped. "Yes dear!" I held back a chuckle seeing who wore the pants in that relationship as Aunt Elinor looked out to the crowd and announced.
"Now then we are all gathered here to take place in the games for the honor, respect, status and prizes." Everyone cheered at this before the queen held up her hand. "In accordance with our laws by the rights of our heritages, the eldest of each of the great clan leaders will compete in a competition decided on by the king for the glory an honor of their clan." Everyone cheered at this before the queen once again held up her hand to silence everyone. "The games shall begin tomorrow when everyone has rested from their journeys." There were cheers as the queen held her hand up once more. "Now then before we begin you should all know that my nephew is visiting and with him he has brought a very interesting companion."
She gestured me forward and signaled me to call Toothless so I brought my fingers to my lips before I whistled signaling Toothless to glide down. He did so before landing behind me and circling his body around me as I pet his head while I stared at the shocked looks on the faces of the people. Before any of them could say anything I raised my hand to silence them and said.
"His name is Toothless and he's my nightfury, which is a species of dragon." I saw they were all getting ready to ask questions. "I know you've all got questions which I'll be happy to answer them but first raise your hand and wait till I ask you." Immediately multiple hands went up. "Before I answer your questions I just need to be clear on one thing and that is if any one tries to hurt him I will gut them like a fish so keep in mind you don't bother or hurt him and he won't hurt any of you." A few hands went down at this.
2 hours later
Everyone was out in a field full of tents with everyone walking around, checking out the events, taking part in some of the events or cheering on the competitors. I was walking past the tents and checking out the games and trying to avoid the lords who would not stop pestering about Toothless. At first they wanted to know where they could get their own dragons claiming it would show how powerful their clans are and their places as the leaders. When I told them he was the only nightfury that I knew of they tried to buy him from me with gold, status, land, high positions and more. I told them that it wasn't happening no matter what they offered but it didn't stop them from trying.
Presently I was enjoying the Hammer Throw and I had to say I think I might partake in it. A competitor with a brown beard had just taken the lead in the games. It was then the announcer walked up in front of him and asked if there were any other challengers who'd like to try their luck. I shrugged and figured why not before I stepped forward as I said.
"I'll take a crack at it." They all turned to me before the competitor laughed.
"Sorry lad but these games are for men." He then rubbed my head. "Not wee little lads like you."
If there was one thing I hated it was being belittled and treated like a child. I pushed his arm away from me before I walked over to the hammers and picked one up. I carried it to the spot where the competitors performed and then prepared to toss it as far as I could. I spun the hammer around before releasing it and sending it flying and watched it fly through the air. When it began falling it was already past my opponents and when it landed there was a loud scream. The reason for the scream was that the hammer had landed at the edge of the field and landed on a poor guys foot. Everyone stared at me in shock before I said.
"You grow a lot of muscle wrestling with dragons all day and fighting some sort of evil mystical force every time you visit a new land." I shrugged and walked back to Toothless before we walked into the crowd but as we walked everyone stared at me as they parted ways for us but as we walked I knew I was definitely going to be taking part in some of the other events.
Four hours later
In the past few hours I had participated in the Sheaf toss, Weight over the bar, Weight throw and Stone put. Now I didn't intend to take part in most of these events but I when I entered them it was a heat of moment kind of thing. The visiting lords were coming towards me to discuss me selling Toothless and I just wasn't interested in dealing with them so I hopped in front of the crowds and joined the event. This didn't stop me from doing my best in the events though and I think I did pretty well in them. I walked up to the stage where my relatives were all sitting to enjoy the contest between the heirs and with Toothless following behind me. I took a seat next to my Uncle Fergus who smiled at me and said.
"There's the Highlands newest record breaker." I cocked an eyebrow.
"What do you mean?" He chuckled.
"Oh don't act like you don't know."
"I'm not acting I really don't know what you're talking about." Aunt Elinor smiled at me said.
"It's all over the games how you've been setting new records for the events." Merida then cut in and said.
"There's even talk about how in the Hammer Throw you threw the hammer to the edge of the field and crushed a mans foot."
"How'd you hear about that?"
"When we heard the scream we went to see what was going on and found out what happed from one of the viewers as they carried the poor victim with the crushed foot away." Uncle Fergus then said.
"What in the world did you do to gain such strength?" I shrugged.
"Like I said to the crowd you grow a lot of muscle wrestling with dragons all day and fighting some sort of evil mystical force every time you visit a new land."
"Well maybe I should try doing that some time." Aunt Elinor slapped his arm for the joke.
"So what's the event the heirs are taking part in?"
"I decided to go with old fashioned wrestling since I've seen how they fight in brawls so I wanted to see how they fight in wrestling." I nodded. "Don't think you can avoid your awards for winning so many of the events though but that can be dealt with later." I nodded but I had the feeling I was not going to enjoy the results but I would deal with them when they arose.
AN: Hey all I hope you enjoyed the chapter and keep your reviews kind. For those of you who are wondering why I did a crossover with Brave, it's because I figured if I did it I'd have a location and some characters and after discussing it with some friends who read Hiccups collection I got nothing but positive feed back on the idea so I did it. Don't think this means Brave will be playing a major role in my story though because it won't and rest assured Hiccup will be dealing with some vicious beasties here in the highlands. By the way to those who voted Hiccup keeps his arm could you please tell me why in the form of either a review or PM because I'd like to know? Also I'm considering going along with it anyway since I have more than a few ideas for how Hiccup uses the prosthetic in the future. Please don't just say a regular arm is better because this one functions like a regular arm with the exception of it being made by the gods.